Begin forwarded message:

<excerpt><bold>From: </bold>Sacha Jotisalikorn <<sacha@forumasia.org>

<bold>Date: </bold>Mon Sep 29, 2003  14:14:42 Asia/Bangkok

<bold>To: </bold>foe-foi-news@forumasia.org

<bold>Subject: </bold>Stations fighting to remain independent

<bold><fontfamily><param>Arial</param>The Bangkok Post

16 September 2003<color><param>807D,0000,0000</param>

COMMUNITY RADIO </color>

<bigger><bigger><bigger>Stations fighting to remain independent 

</bigger></bigger><italic>Politicians, traders `seek personal gain' 

</italic></bigger>Aphaluck Bhatiasevi 

</fontfamily></bold><fontfamily><param>Arial</param>Community radio

operators in 150 localities are banding together to ward off

politicians and businessmen interested in using the networks for

personal gain. 

Montri Im-aem, a member of Chiang Mai's San Patong district community

radio committee, yesterday said radio programmes broadcast by local

communities were being eyed by politicians and businessmen who wanted

to reap benefits by providing sponsorship and advertisements. 

``It is against our philosophy to accept any form of advertisement or

sponsorship that is of benefit to any individual or business. We

operate community radios for the benefit of our community,'' Mr Montri

told a press conference on the link between health and media reform. 

Chatichai Luangjaroen, manager of Rayong's Ban Jamrung district

community radio, said the popularity of community radio had increased

immensely and was now one of the most important modes of communication

for local communities. 

Despite operating for about two hours a day, it helped raise health

awareness, and campaigns had succeeded in cutting alcohol consumption

and reducing the use of pesticides on farms, he said. 

Manyat Pongpaibul, a researcher at the Health Systems Reform Office

(HSRO) who has been studying the use of community radios, said it had

become very popular among community residents. 

She cited a programme organised by a 72-year-old man in Sakol Nakhon,

which has become very popular among the elderly because his programme

dealt with concerns of people his age. 

Euajit Virojtrairat, of the National Human Rights Commission, said the

main purpose in encouraging the establishment of community radio was

for local communities to communicate among themselves on issues of

relevance to them. 

Amphon Jindawathana, director of the HSRO, said he hoped other

communities would also make use of this new mode of communication. 

The World Health Organisation had expressed full support in providing

information beneficial to public health. 

</fontfamily></excerpt>